POLSC211: Introduction to International Relations

Unit 8: International DevelopmentIn this unit, we will take a look at the topic of international
development and the discrepancies between the developed and developing
world. The unequal distribution of wealth around the globe has led many
impoverished countries to pursue economic development through either
self-dependence or reliance on international aid. We will look at the
role of NGO’s in that pursuit, as well as theories of growth, including
Structuralism, the Linear-Stages-Growth Model, Neo-Marxism/Dependency
Theory, and the market-based Neo-Classical Theory. We will look at the
role of natural resources, foreign aid, and external debt when it comes
to development. And finally, we will look at the New International
Economic Order and the increasing popularity of Sustainable
Development.

Unit 8 Time Advisory
Completing this unit will take approximately 10.5 hours.

☐ Subunit 8.1: 6 hours
☐ Introduction: 1 hour

☐ Sub-subunit 8.1.1: 2 hours

☐ Sub-subunit 8.1.2: 2 hours

☐ Sub-subunit 8.1.3: 0.5 hours

☐ Sub-subunit 8.1.4: 0.5 hours

☐ Subunit 8.2: 3 hours

☐ Subunit 8.3: 0.5 hours

☐ Subunit 8.4: 1 hour

Unit8 Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- discuss and explain the various analytical and theoretical positions
used in the subfield of international relations to explain world
politics;
- describe the differences between national and
transnational actors in the international arena, both public and
private;
- identify and discuss major issues of the international economy;
- identify and discuss major issues related to human rights;
- identify and discuss global environmental issues; and
- discuss the economic relationship between the North and South.

8.1 Poverty and the Developing World
- Reading: University of Iowa’s Center for International Finance and
Development: Ricardo Contreras’ “Competing Theories of Economic
Development”
Link: University of Iowa’s Center for International Finance and
Development: Ricardo Contreras’ “Competing Theories of Economic
Development” (HTML
or PDF)

Instructions: Read the text on the webpage or click on the
“Download PDF” link for an introduction to four common theories of
economic development.

Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use
displayed on the web page above.

Terms of Use: The article above is in the public domain. Please
respect the copyright and terms of use of this article.

8.1.2 International Aid Model for Economic Development
- Reading: New York University: Professor William Easterly’s “Can
Foreign Aid Buy Growth?” and University of North Texas’s Digital
Library: CRS Report for Congress: “Foreign Aid: An Introductory
Overview of US Programs and Policy”
Links: New York University: Professor William Easterly’s “Can
Foreign Aid Buy
Growth?” (PDF)
and University of North Texas’s Digital Library: CRS Report for
Congress: “Foreign Aid: An Introductory Overview of U.S. Programs
and
Policy” (PDF)

Instructions: To access William Easterly’s article, scroll down to
the middle of the webpage linked above to find the title of the
article. Click on it to download the PDF file. Then, read the CRS
Report on US Foreign Aid for an understanding of the goals, types of
aid, and priorities the US aid has had from a “donors” perspective.
There are also several tables/figures which will give you an idea of
how US aid compares with other donors. To access the article, click
on the image of the first page, and then select “Download.”

Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use
displayed on the webpages above.

Instructions: Read the text of the United Nations General Assembly
Resolution. Remember from the earlier unit on the United Nations
that General Assembly Resolutions are non-binding and have no legal
weight.

Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use
displayed on the webpage above.

Instructions: Learn about sustainable development from the website
linked here. Feel free to browse around, but be sure to look at “Ten
Years after Rio: Successes and Failures,” “The Sustainable
Development Timeline,” and (under Archives) “Agenda 21” and the 5
associated Rio Documents.

Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use
displayed on the webpage above.